There are three important factors that must be considered when conducting a seance. They are the purpose, the quality of the sitters and the location. Each of these must be provided for to increase the expectation for a reasonably successful outcome.
The conducting medium:
The medium should be one that has already presided over a seance before and is familiar with the importance of insuring that the basic requirements mentioned above are met. The seance may be conducted by a non-experienced person, however, the success of the outcome may be affected because of a lack of attunement. In either case, it is up to the conducting medium to assure that the conditions outlined below are met.
Purpose:
The purpose for the seance should be established prior to the meeting. Is it to contact someone's deceased relative or friend, find spirit guides, or to conjure apparitions? Whatever the purpose it must be the only purpose for all the sitters and this must be the only thought in everyone's mind. There cannot be divided purposes in the circle once it begins because it will weaken if not destroy the singleness of psychic energy needed in the seance. It is up to the conducting medium to query each sitter, and to make them aware of the importance of a single mind among them all. All thoughts of personal affairs, the day's events or any other distracting thoughts must be put aside because these also interfere with maintaining a single energy.
The sitters:
Desire to be there is the primary qualification for a sitter. Without this there is a loss in the expectation that gives the seance that special feeling. If you have to drag someone into the circle, you're doing the wrong thing. Here are the types of people you want in the circle:
Someone that really wants to be there, who is serious and not frivolous or silly and giddy. Positive and uplifting people that will add their energy.
A family member that wants to make contact with a deceased loved one. (In the case of seeking such contact) They must not be grasping and groping for the connection, but rather, subjective and patient for whatever comes. Grasping and desperate persons sometimes block the energy, so they must put their feelings in check and be neutral.
Persons that are empathetic and can inject love into the seance. Love is the vibration of communication in the spirit world. Its presence enables communication to take place.
Avoid these people:
The skeptical and cynical person will act like a sinker. Just one will drain the entire circle of its energy and the result will fulfill the skeptic's expectations. Even if it is a family member, do not allow this person to be a part of it.
A fear filled person has almost the same effect as the skeptic, because fear is one of the great negatives that have a counter effect to the positive love vibration. Their fear may be self generated or the result of religious superstition, nevertheless, avoid this one also.
Anyone full of hate or envy against anyone in the circle or outside of it, will have the same deleterious effect as the previous two.
Location:
There are two best choices. The first is to hold it in a neutral location free from outside disturbances, noises, and interference, preferably one that has been previously used for such a purpose. Next is to hold it in a place that has a symbolic connection to the purpose. For example, hold it in the home of a deceased person youre trying to establish contact with, because there will be objects and artifacts that still have their owner's imprint within them. Incidentally, these personal artifacts can also be brought to a neutral meeting place.
The gathering for the seance.
Wait until everyone is present and then sit around and make small talk for about twenty minutes to give everyone time to settle down and get accustomed to the setting. Then you will be able to begin.
The seance format:
Everyone should be sitting around in a circle, either around a table or with straight back chairs. They should be close enough to hold hands, but not touching knees. The lights should be dim or have candles. You need just enough light to see everyone's face. Do not conduct the meeting in total darkness, its not necessary.
Play some soft meditative music in the background for at least ten minutes. Then its time for the conducting medium to remind all present that the love vibration carries communication and to invoke it now. Then the purpose is said aloud to everyone. In the case of seeking spirit guides, remind everyone to remember any feelings, visions and thoughts they receive in the session so they can be shared with all present. For the case of conjuring apparitions, they are given the same injunction because most apparitions will be visions they receive when their eyes are closed, not when they are open. When the seance is to invoke a deceased person's spirit, the same rules apply, except that they are told to send the love vibration to the spirit sought and hold the person in loving remembrance.
They should be encouraged not to accept any message or information that has silliness or frivolity associated with it. They should firmly reject it and continue waiting for something more substantial.
Allow 20 to 30 minutes for everyone to stay in this loving remembrance state and then softly request them to return their attention to the circle and open their eyes when ready.
After a few minutes they should all be alert and ready to talk. Start anywhere in the circle and encourage everyone to share their experience. What you are looking for are profound information that has evidence of a connection within it. Look for duplicate messages, visions or feelings which are confirmations of a connection with the spirit.
A recording can be made of the message part of the seance for future reference.
Don't expect a voice to emanate from the corner of the room or from within an object. That only happens in the movies. Remember that those in spirit must try just as hard as we do in order to communicate. They are not specialists, just who they were when they were here in their physical bodies. These seances sometimes require repeat sessions to get sufficient details to piece together a coherent picture. Patience is required.